Saturday, April 17, 2010

Five Things I'm Thankful For

In random order...

1) Tylenol - Annabeth came down with some kind of virus on Thursday and ran a 101-103 degree fever for two days. When your baby's skin is on fire it's a little unnerving. I'm thankful for the little bottle of Tylenol that helped my girl while she was sick.

2) Weight Watchers and blog friends - I joined WW six weeks ago to try to lose the rest of my baby weight. On the second week, I found out that Kelly was doing the same thing! We have baby girls the same age and I've often read her blog and thought that we were leading parallel lives. She's such a neat person and I know probably every single one of you reads her blog and feels the same way. This probably sounds dumb, but just having one friend - even though we've never met in person - who was doing this too helped me so much. On Thursday I got to celebrate losing ten pounds. Woo hoo! I'm thankful for Weight Watchers and how effective it has been and I'm thankful for blog friends who encourage me in so many aspects of life - even tracking my points. God-willing, I'll get to meet Kelly next weekend at my mom's conference in Atlanta and hug her neck! Is anyone else going to be there?

3) Curtis Jones - I'm so thankful for my husband. He works hard, he loves Jesus, he makes me laugh, he's generous, and he's so good with our kids. Tomorrow we get to return to our old Sunday school class at HFBC and he will begin teaching each week. I'm really excited to get to fellowship with those dear friends again and to get to hear my hubby teach out of Ephesians.

4) You - A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that I'd been going through a rough time and hadn't felt like myself. Some of you must have prayed for me because the heaviness that had been on me for five months lifted off the next day and has not returned. You better believe I'm thanking Jesus for healing me! Thank you for praying for my need.

5) Spring - Houston actually got to experience winter this year. I think everyone normally laments the brevity of our cold spell, but when it stuck around a little longer we realized that we really don't like it that much! Since the weather has gotten warmer, our family has loved spending the late afternoons and early evenings in the back yard together. The trampoline has been amazing for our family togetherness. Right now Curtis is on the back patio grilling chicken kabobs and hot dogs for our dinner. I should add that to the list of reasons why I love him.

I will be at the conference next weekend...taking my teenage girls to their first Christian conference EVER. Totally cool. I don't expect to meet you, but I do expect God to do great things and start lighting the fire in my two daughters. Congrats on your weight loss. The ten pounds you lost came my direction, however...I could have done without that :) I think I have just gotten mad enough to do something about it.

My mom & I will be in Atlanta next weekend. I am so excited. She has never heard your mom speak & I think she would just love her. It's been a long time since she's been to church. They kind of drifted out when I went to college & never got back in. She's also a pretty insecure person so I hope this helps her to realize she is an awesome woman.

Congratulations on losing 10 pounds! I started counting WW points last week...it can be really tough when you have a 2 year old and a 2 month old. Most nights all I want to do is sit on the couch and each eat ice cream after we put them to bed!

So proud of you for doing WW you are an amazing mom - May your children rise and call you blessed (Proverbs 31:28)Yes I will be in ATL with My mom - so excited - she needs this trip well I guess we both do :)Have a safe flight and I hope to hug your neck in a few days - if not know I will be praying for you and your momma Much love

Oh, congrats on the 10 lbs! I've been working on the baby weight too and know that every single pound is hard work!This weekend is going to be GREAT! Is someone planning a blogger meet up for dinner? It can't be better than a conference for God to deliver a swift kick in the tail to some insecurity (is it a sign of my insecurity to be thinking about what I'll wear!?!?!) and a chance to meet so many bloggers. I am so excited! Have you seen anyone planning a meet up yet?

Love your heart Amanda congratulations on the weight loss, I need to try to give up diet coke I just don't have the will power but I really do I usually drink one a day but I do need to quit I feel like I have an addiction which I do.I won't be in Alanta but I will be here in Albuquerque Nm at the simulcast can't wait getting excited. Glad your little one is better.

I too have a baby about the same age as Annabeth and Harper and I started WW in January. I lost 12 pounds before I found out I was pregnant again, but so far haven't gained any of it back even though I'm not watching my points anymore. I loved it and it was SO easy. I will definetly start it up again after this next baby!

Oh Amanda - you are so sweet! You have encouraged me in so many ways the last few years. Just to have someone I really admire and to know that we have so many of the same thoughts and feelings.......has made me feel normal! I am SOOOOOO looking forward to meeting you in person!

all three of my children have the virus that's going around here in dallas. they've all had fevers for a few days now. their pedi says that this is ALL he's seeing in his office right now--fevers and some vomiting. good times.

1) Tylenol and Motrin are miracle meds. My middle girl has had fever for 12 (TWELVE!!!) days and she has been living off of the stuff. Praise the Lord all tests came back negative and she's fever free now!

2) I adore Kelly. Can't wait to meet her for real in Atl, too! Sweet Harper is wearing some of my daughters' smocks that they have outgrown - makes my heart happy to see some of those dresses being worn by such a precious girl! I loved them on my girls and I love them on Harper!

3) I'll be in ATL and can't wait to hug your sweet neck! Looking SO forward to next weekend!

I'm so glad Annabeth is feeling better! It's so hard when they're little--thank goodness for the Tylenol!!

With Jackson's new swing set and a trampoline--I know how y'all burn extra energy! Growing up we had a putt-putt golf place that had 'in-ground' trampolines, we spent hours on them. You should teach Beckham to jump on it! Our niece had their golden on theirs for years-he loved it!

BTW, we tried Taste of Texas for the first time tonight--pretty yummy and a great deep dish pecan pie! Thank goodness they allow sharing....

Way to go on the 10 pounds!!!! I think that I might give WW a try. Need to lose a bit more than 10 lbs though!! I hope that you get to meet many of your blogger buddies next weekend in Atlanta. I wanted to go to the simulcast at a church in Fresno but will be up in the mountains (near the beach I must add....love California!) for our annual women's retreat. I can't wait for it!!!!Have a wonderful week Amanda!

I did WW after I had Cerys, it does work. I don't want to do it this time though. Have fun in ATL, I will be there too- but visiting family. I am trying not to feel sorry for myself for not knowing about until it was too late. Y'all have fun!

i recently found your blog...loved the title so started reading! i did WW to lose all my baby weight (which 9 months of nursing did NOT take off like I thought it would!) and I LOVE IT!!! I'm now 6 lb less than I weighed when I got pregnant :) I'll also be at the conference next Sat...am I a stalker for totally hoping to meet Kelly too?!?! haha!

I wanted you to know how much I enjoy your blog. I love reading about your children. I can't believe your baby is already a year old. I do not see how you manage to do everything that you do. I was recently touched by your post when you said you wanted time with your mom so you had her undivided attention. That was priceless. You are a wonderful mom and a wonderful daughter.

10 pounds in 6 weeks is amazing! Maybe I need to join as well. Do you do it online or do you go to a center?I'm very proud of you and so glad the heaviness has been lifted. I've sort of felt like that lately...not really myself and can't really figure out why...

10 lbs is AMAZING, you should feel so good about that!! ESPECIALLY those last 10, WHY are they so determined to hang on to us?? It feels so good to feel like your self again, right? And I am so encouraged to hear about the lifting of your burden. AND that you have a nice husband. And modern medicine, AMEN.

I recently found your blog. I was searching to see if anyone had any clever ideas on baby bangs. I have had them the entire 20 years of my existence so you would think I would have already figured out how to make them disappear when I dry my hair or something. I'm working on it. haha Anyways, I found your blog and have been following it for the last week or so. You and your family are just adorable. You have the most beautiful children. I'm going to Atl. and I'm so excited!! Seven of my girlfriends and I are taking the short roadtrip from Mobile. It is going to be such a fun weekend.

Congrats on the WW success, and I am thankful your heavy spirits have lifted. I was in some kind of a fog of resentment all through March, and it has just lifted. Yay! And I need to go back on WW - and now I feel motivated to do so...

I'll be in Atlanta next weekend! Cannot wait!!! I'm bringing my sweet friend Darlene, who has done all of Beth's studies but has NEVER gone to an LPL or Deeper Still event. Never. To say she is excited is an understatement.

I am doing weight watchers too, but I am trying to save money this time and just do it from memory and I am not feeling very successful. I may have to bite the bullet and pay to go to the meetings and weigh in. I think I need the accountability, or public humiliation of the weigh ins, to make me really work at it.

I will be in ATL too, since I live just down the street from FBCW. I hope to see you and smile at you, even if it has to be from a distance, like in Houston at the siesta celebration. It seems you are always surrounded by so many people who love you!!! :)

Hi Amanda,I am so thankful to hear that your cloud has lifted. Your have been in my prayers quite a bit over the last number of weeks. I know we don't really know each other but you have been brought to mind many times, so I prayed.

Isn't it awful to see your little one sick? We were at the pediatrician Thursday and found out that Michael was working on an ear infection. Had a fever of over 102. So I agree - fever reducers are worth being thankful for!

Those are good things to be thankful for. You look great, Amanda! I know that is hard work. And I am so glad y'all are back in sunday school - I was so sad when you left. And even better, Curtis is teaching!

Hey Amanda! I am going to the SLI conference in Atlanta too! I was in the SLI book study on the LPM blog and God ministered deeply to me through it. I'm thinking of this as the finale for that study...will there be a final exam issued? I am so excited that you will be there, I hope I get to see you!

Amanda, I have been a silent reader of your blog for quite some time now. I have been so blessed by your openness about your experiences with your children (and husband!). Thank you for sharing your heart:) I got to meet your mom at a book signing tour last February in Atlanta and introduced her to my little 3 year old boy. I will be at the conference this weekend. I hope that you get some girl time with your mom and sister this weekend! You are a blessing!!

I was wondering if you go to the WW meetings or if you do it online or just by yourself. I have done it on my own my own several years ago but was thinking I might need to go to a group or something. I will not be in Atlanta but will be at a satellite location in Nashville, TN. I finished the book last week and was able to follow along with the other Siestas.

I will be at FBCW in Atlanta. Probably won't get to see you though as there will be loads of other women there who have never met you and I DID get to hug you and your mom and sister back in January. I'll try not to be selfish and expect to hug you twice in one year!

Just getting to see your mom (live) twice in one year is going to be such a huge blessing.

So thankful that the "heaviness" has been lifted. :) Praise Jesus! Also - I'm a faithful WW girl too! Congrats on your 10 pounds! Quick too! It's been a year now and I've lost 27 pounds. It works! and such a great lifestyle - not diet. I've hit a plateau in the last few weeks but I know I'm making the right choices so I'm just going to keep on, keepin' on. Thanks for your weekly encouragement!

Okay, I just had to run over here real quick and tell you I love the part about alphabet in your mom's new book. Totally LOL funny. I can so see it! Great respite in the middle of this journey. Love it!

Okay, back again to actually comment on your post this time...ha! I love this too. You cause me to stop and be thankful for the many blessings in my life. And yes, praise Him winter is gone. But more importantly, yay on the garment of heaviness. It's too hot for that thing any way.Ginger

Amanda I was so hoping to be in Atlanta, but a wedding is keeping me at home...I had something special I wanted to give you...guess I will need to mail it...Your posts always bless me...

I have not had enough blog time lately...So glad that I stopped by tonight..Be sure and stop by main bloghttp://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/2010/04/i-think-god-smiled.html and witness a miracle.

TERRIFIC job on the 10 pounds! I am struggling with weight right now too and since my "baby" just turned 4, I don't guess I can call it baby weight anymore. You are right that having someone doing it with you is so encouraging. Also ditto what you said about the encouragement of the blog community. I am SO thankful for the LPM blog, for yours and a few others that make me feel connected when I'm having a "Lord get me back to America...YESTERDAY" kind of day! Hope that there will be some sort of event when we are in the states this fall when I can meet some blog sisters!

Besides a baby, what pregnant women get in return for surrendering their waistlines is nine months of thick, glorious hair. It’s a beautiful thing. However, when Baby is just a few months old (about the time Mommy is seeing hints of her returning waistline) it all falls out. Soon her face is framed by the re-growth—lovely inch-long hairs called baby bangs. This blog is named for that charming little phenomenon.